The Pine Mountain Trail Conference wishes to thank Kentucky Senator Ray Jones for his recent consultations aimed at jointly arriving at legislation that could be supported by the Pine Mountain Trail Conference and those advocating for increased locations for ATV use. In its revised form, SB 102 calls for a feasibility study of ATV recreational vehicles on the Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail and the Kentucky sections of the Breaks Interstate Park. This study, to be conducted by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, would be completed and the results available to the LRC by December, 2016. This will provide both parties with the additional time needed to quantify and present their best reasoned arguments both for and against ATV use on the Trail and on Breaks Park properties.We look forward to using this opportunity to rally support for continuing to use the Pine Mountain Trail solely as a hiking trail. It is important to note that ATV use in a controlled, safe manner that is non-destructive to the natural environment is supported by the Pine Mountain Trail Conference. And, the Conference will aid Senator Jones efforts to gain legal, commercial venues for their use. Those advocating for the Trail have In recent correspondence with Senator Jones received a better understanding of his position and the need for legislation. Considering that Senator Jones legislation and recent ATV excursion on Breaks Park properties and the Pine Mountain Trail was to publicly bring attention to the lack of policing of illegal ATV use, we can only marvel at the Senator's novel yet effective way of addressing an intractable problem that was seemingly unsolvable on the north end of the PMT and in the Breaks Park. We look forward to working with the Senator for creative solutions to this and other problems in the years ahead. |